Without You (Shane and Shane)

One of my all time favorite bands is Shane and Shane. I love their music, their lyrics and their passion. Have you ever had a moment when you’re just driving along innocently listening to an old CD and suddenly, without warning, the lyrics hit you like a ton of bricks? Lyrics that you’ve sung along with before, but suddenly it’s as if you’d never heard them. It’s like God just decided to wake you from a dream and these words have so much meaning that it’s the most real thing you’ve ever heard.

This has happened to me several times with Shane and Shane. Probably the most dramatic one was with their song “Everything Is Different” – several years ago. More recently with their songs “Though You Slay Me” and “Faith To Believe“. I’m bound to blog about those two in coming weeks, but right now the one that is my daily theme song is “Without You“. (all three of those last ones are off the album “Bring Your Nothing” — what an incredible album title and concept!!)

The song opens with an expression of faith “I can walk through the storm; I can walk by faith when my sight is gone, just as long as You are here with me.” And follows with an exclamation of complete dependence on God: “I could gain everything; What do I have if I don’t have the King. Oh I need to know You’re here with me.” YES! Lord, I have faith, and I know how much I need You – that without You I am totally lost and my life is worthless. But Lord… I need to KNOW You’re here WITH ME…right now. I need to sense Your presence… Continue reading

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Worship Set For February 16, 2014

All The Earth Will Sing Your Praises, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, Only True God, 1 Corinthians 16:23-27, Our Glorious God, Lord I Need You Continue reading

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Psalm 145 – Worship Through Reading Scripture

Last Sunday morning I decided to begin our sound check by simply reading a worshipful Psalm. I remembered Psalm 145 being particularly worshipful so I pulled it up on my phone read a few verses to myself and decided this was definitely the one!

I started reading out loud for the whole worship team, intending to read 4, 5 or maybe even 8 verses and then stop…but I couldn’t stop! And the band was into it! There were spontaneous “Yes, Lord!”s and “Amen”s, and “Thank You, God”s. It was possibly the most worshipful reading of scripture I’ve experienced in a group. Have you had an experience like that? I hope so. Of course it doesn’t have to be in a group. Reading scripture is absolutely one of the best ways you can worship God. That’s what it was designed for!

I had so much fun simply reading through this Psalm that I wanted to spend some more time with it. So come along with me and let’s read and reflect on these truths together [my own thoughts of praise are written within brackets and italicized]: Continue reading

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Worship Set For February 9, 2104

When I Think About The Lord, Exodus 34:6, Isaiah 54:10, Psalm 147:10-11, Unfailing Love, 10,000 Reasons, Psalm 68:19-20, Our God Saves, Let Your Kingdom Come Continue reading

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10 Ways To Worship Without Music

10 WAYS TO WORSHIP WITHOUT MUSIC

From an article at Saddleback.com (which is no longer available online)
 
 

Worship isn’t just a part of your life — it’s everything you do!
If you’ve been following this blog you know that I just finished a three-part series based on the notes to my first sermon: Worship 101: The Who, What, When, Where, Why and What. Especially towards the end of that series you heard me say (you read) that worship through music is only a small portion of what true, biblical worship is all about. Another great reference is Rick Warren’s section in The Purpose Driven Life on “You Were Made for God’s Pleasure.” Worship is the process of surrendering our entire life into God’s hands. Everything we do can – and should — be an act of worship.

How do we apply that to our life? God designed us to worship Him with our whole lives. Are there actually spiritual habits that we can build into our lives that help us to worship God more deeply? YES! Here are ten habits than can help build worship into your life on a daily basis. Continue reading

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